About Abel to Yzerman

Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977.  No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y.  Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation.  If you think you can do better, feel free to comment; unless you’re a Dive fan.  In that case, just shut the Hell up.  Send comments and praise to:

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The A2Y Christmas Card Live Blog

by IwoCPO on 12/27/07 at 06:57 PM
Comments (88)

As the family and I were shopping for those hard-to-find post Christmas bargains this afternoon, my wife remarked that she’d forgotten to send Christmas cards to the 19 of you who read this blog on a semi-regular basis. 

Too late to send, I know and I apologize.  But never too late to post, especially when it coincides with the first Dive game of the year.  This will serve as this evening’s live blog as well.

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We considered going the traditional route, with the dog, some cookies, maybe a little note reviewing the year for everyone.  You know, kinda cute.

But decided our 5-year old holding a picture documenting the greatest ass kicking in Red Wing history was more appropriate.

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I haven’t forgotten about the remainder of the Christmas wishes for the Wings. We’ll continue with those tonite.

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Comments

Good lookin’ family there, Rafalski.

Errr, Chief.

Posted by TeamDub  on  12/27  at  08:08 PM

Great Christmas card!
Your daughter has her Eastons on, and she’s ready to go!

Posted by w2j2  on  12/27  at  08:47 PM

Your wife is a great sport, and your daughter looks like an absolute sweetheart.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  09:21 PM

Great picture, Chief.  I suggested having one of our daughters wear her Wings jersey for our Christmas pic...my wife said okay but only on the condition that I wear the Christmas dress.  Stupid holidays.

On a completely unrelated note, anyone else hear that Jackman’s out on IR? Happy New Year to our favorite Blues player.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA  on  12/27  at  09:47 PM

What a shame about Jackman, and too bad for the always pleasant blues fans.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:03 PM

Way to go Chief!  Good lookin family.  And the fact that they put up with your interests with the organ-I-zation is something to be proud of.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI  on  12/27  at  10:05 PM

Dark picture on FSN.

Posted by Chris from Grand Rapids  on  12/27  at  10:09 PM

Dub: My wife asked who Rafalski was. I told her he was a porn star.  She was less than convinced.

W2: She’s a brawler. She dropped those gloves at least five or six times today.

Baroque: regarding my daughter’s sweehteart status, see note to W2.

Slinger:  my second try for a wife who will put up with my Wing “issues.” I think this one’s a keeper.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:09 PM

Dive announcers just said Sakic out for three months with hernia surgery.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:10 PM

Samuelsson’s got something of a knack for coming up with the puck.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:10 PM

That was ugly, Pavel.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:12 PM

Wow, lots of early minutes for the Ellis line.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:15 PM

Interesting post on Downey today Matt.  Hate to lose him, but I guess that’s a possibility.  For those of you who haven’t seen it:  http://onthewingsblog.com/2007/12/27/hurricanes-possibly-seeking-an-enforcer/

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:15 PM

The mics must be set in odd locations or something.  The clacking sound of passes hitting sticks is louder than the crowd.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:19 PM

Definitely filling the role of an energy line Pete, and that’s good because the rest of the team is dragging.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:23 PM

Iwo,

I guess we’ll see what happens. Like I said, another injury is definitely a possibility, so the Wings may not be faced with having to waive Downey any time soon.

I just hope Downey doesn’t keep his spot because Zetterberg’s injury turns out to be long term, or something. I like the guy but not that much!

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:24 PM

Peter McNabb, Dive toolbag between the benches: “Without question Detroit is the best organization in hockey.”

Paul Stastny in this morning’s Denver Post: “They’re the best team in the league...on paper.”

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:25 PM

Man, everything’s going in for Fil now. Crazy that a month ago, he couldn’t finish to save his life.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:27 PM

How did that go in?

Bizarre.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:27 PM

Filppula...still on fire. And Altitude cuts to a skank in the crowd spilling her beer all over another Dive “fan.” Excellent.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:28 PM

Off the defenseman, looks like.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:29 PM

Way to stand him up, Dan! Oops…

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:29 PM

Peter Stastney in this morning’s Denver Post: “They’re the best team in the league...on paper.”

I thought that was San Jose?  They look really good on paper, too.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:30 PM

Did they ever say who went to the box for what?

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:31 PM

“on paper.”

Uh, yeah.  They’re not too shabby on the scoreboard either.  Dumbass.  Stastney must be kinfolk to Gary (ASS).

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI  on  12/27  at  10:31 PM

Wow, I hadn’t caught that Stastny quote before (or it hadn’t sunk in). Amazing how fast you can lose respect for someone. And to think I wasted precious All Star votes on him (so I could write-in Osgood and maintain an otherwise all-Wing West).

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:33 PM

Ellis was int he box, but I’m not sure what for.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:33 PM

It was hooking. Didn’t see it.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:34 PM

Exact quote: 

“It will be a good measuring stick for us,” Avs center Paul Stastny said of tonight’s game. “On paper, they’ve been the top team in the league all year.”

http://www.denverpost.com/avalanche/ci_7816371

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:35 PM

Wow, that was AWESOME. Kronwall is so smooth with the puck.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:36 PM

Sooo pretty. Great work by Kronner, and Fil again… what a machine.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:36 PM

I could have sworn I said Filppula was on fire.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:36 PM

Where was the defense on that one??? Fil was all alone. It was like men’s league.

Posted by Chris from Grand Rapids  on  12/27  at  10:38 PM

Ouch. Not so hot, Brian. Cut the angle, Dom!

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:38 PM

Baah. Rafalski.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:39 PM

Jesus.  Rafalski.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:39 PM

Brain fart Rafalski.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:39 PM

Defensive zone turnovers, just like last night. The Avs’ll make them pay if they keep throwing it around like that.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:39 PM

You’re right though, Matt. Dom needed to come out and challenge him more. Where’s the insanity?

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:42 PM

Not that I really blame him, but Budaj just gave up after the initial shot by Kronwall on that second goal. He looked back, saw Fil there and just stood up. Kind of odd.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  10:42 PM

Oh my god. Altitude guy. STOP SAYING FILPPULA’S NAME. AUUGH! You’re murdering it!

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:44 PM

Decided to take a stroll over to the Dive board.  Thought you all might find this interesting.  The genius just never ends in Denver.

Detroit will be one of the teams playing for the cup @ the end of the season IMO.
Hopefully, we are the other.

http://forums.coloradoavalanche.com/index.php?showtopic=37834&st=100

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  10:45 PM

Uh…

So, I guess they know about some odd realignment plan kept secret from the public, then?  surprised

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:50 PM

Oh my god. Altitude guy. STOP SAYING FILPPULA’S NAME. AUUGH! You’re murdering it!

How is he mis-pronouncing it?

And if he messes that up, how badly is he mangling Wolski (Polish is pretty tough, too).

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  10:52 PM

“fil-LOO-poo-luh” or “fid-OO-puh-luh” or something in there. There may have been a lateral alveolar flap in there. I’m not sure.

And this is the intermission report guy, not the announcers… haven’t heard him say Wolski.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  10:56 PM

Ugh.  I hate it when people toss in extra syllables.

(I bet he pronounces the W like a W instead of a V sound, as he should.)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  11:00 PM

That is one ugly mustache…

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:04 PM

Fuuuck. Lebda/Meech. Not an NHL worthy pairing. Holland, please, a defenseman. Soon.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  11:07 PM

Filppula officially credited with the first goal and the Wings are sleepwalking through this game. Probably a little harsh as I sense the travel, the layoff and the intensity of last night’s Blues game is all catching up with them.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  11:08 PM

Ugh.

Meech should never pinch in.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:08 PM

Not a terrible follow-up shift by Lebda there.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:11 PM

there’s the insanity !

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI  on  12/27  at  11:12 PM

I sense the travel, the layoff and the intensity of last night’s Blues game is all catching up with them.

Toss in the high altitude, and this is going to be a tough game for Detroit.

Geez, Hasek - insanity is fine, but not that kind of wandering around!

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  11:13 PM

Hudlers got a cannon when he has the space to use it. Nice one, Huds.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:14 PM

You just know Thommy’s hanging around somewhere, lurking.  Wonder what he’s thinking of Hudler and Fil these days?

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  11:14 PM

Huds! Yuss!

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  11:15 PM

Hudler cracks me up.

He has no idea hwo small he is, and plays with so much spunk.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  11:15 PM

the Raf/Lils pair has gotten the most IT tonight, 13 minutes. Lids has only 10. Interesting…

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  11:19 PM

hudler + spunk = spuds!

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI  on  12/27  at  11:22 PM

McNabb:  “Patrick Roy beat up Mike Vernon.”

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  11:24 PM

Dammit Pete. Now you’ve got me paranoid. I’m looking for signs of an injury to Lidstrom.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/27  at  11:25 PM

McNabb:  “Patrick Roy beat up Mike Vernon.”

Haha, I had no idea this game would be so funny. That and the Stastny comment…

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:25 PM

Spuds?

So now he has the same nickname as a potato?  smile

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  11:26 PM

The Lidstrom thing is probably more due to matchups, the Avs having the last change, and the Wings’ first period lethargy (couldn’t change on the fly as easily as usual).

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:26 PM

So now he has the same nickname as a potato?

yeah, but a feisty one cool grin

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI  on  12/27  at  11:32 PM

Hee-hee.  A feisty potato.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/27  at  11:40 PM

Haha. Fil and Dats maintaining pressure while shorthanded. Niice.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/27  at  11:54 PM

I remember getting into a debate with that Checkling Line Eklundite last year about the Wings’ drafting. One of the things I said was that Hudler and Filppula were budding stars. DeGroat denied it. I’d love to re-open that debate today…

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/27  at  11:57 PM

Degroat’s a tool.  I’ve been checking on his Dwayne-spawn of a blog the last few days to see what he’d say about the Wings games of late.  He’s been oddly silent.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/28  at  12:02 AM

Who is DeGroat?

There are so many blogs I can barely keep up with the dozen or so that I try to check on regularly - I’m not familiar with that one.

It would be so hilarious if Downey gets a goal.  I bet he would look more shocked than anybody.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/28  at  12:08 AM

Rafalski isn’t having the sharpest game tonight.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/28  at  12:12 AM

DeGroat is an Eklund follower and Blues fan whose hatred of the Wings skipped pathological and borders on the next-worst thing.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/28  at  12:16 AM

Is it just me or was that call bogus?

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/28  at  12:18 AM

Not good. PK minus Lidstrom.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/28  at  12:19 AM

Thanks.  There are a lot of names I’m not familiar with.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/28  at  12:19 AM

No Lids, no Cheli on the PK… augh…

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/28  at  12:20 AM

Looked like he slipped and was already on the way down when (if) Lidstrom’s stick touched him.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/28  at  12:21 AM

Nice to see Sammy put it away, but what was the ref thinking when he let them haul Datsyuk down right in front of him?

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI  on  12/28  at  12:23 AM

....pheewwwww. Yikes.

Posted by Pete K from Chicago, IL  on  12/28  at  12:24 AM

Guess that wasn’t a hook on Datsyuk in the Dive zone.  And a goal for Sam.  Hallefrigginglujah. 

Dive announcer:  “The Avs passed this test with flying colors.”

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC  on  12/28  at  12:24 AM

(breathe...breathe...breathe...)

Whew.

Flying colors, eh?

Well, they were skating fast - and their uniforms are certainly colourful.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan  on  12/28  at  12:28 AM

Jebus if that is your wife let me know what you slipped into her drink to get her to marry you.  Then introduce me to her sister.  Please.  No, really, I mean it.

Posted by RWBill  on  12/28  at  01:00 AM

Avs still delusional.  After the Wings en goal, the CO announcer says “tonight was a big test for the Avs, and they passed with flying colors” - WTF?

Since when is getting another loss hung on you at home by a team missing its first line that is also playing the second of a back to back “passing with flying colors”?  Well, the answer is ‘always’ if you are a delusional Avs fan.

That’s just awesome.  Keep on passing them tests, baby.

Posted by RWBill  on  12/28  at  01:09 AM

Great picture Iwo.
Watched the game with my brother, so no blogging tonight.  Great game.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd  on  12/28  at  02:35 AM

Your a lucky man Chief—you know, wife, kid, Wings fans too—if you can call being a squid lucky!!!  J/K—thanks for your service both in the navy and your work here too!!  Squid --egad!!!(18th airborne corps—you know the Army/Navy thing).

Posted by Jeff - - OklahomaWingNut from Wind-Swept-Plains  on  12/28  at  09:18 AM

I know I’m way late here, Chief, but about that photo… that’s you with your two daughters, right???  And your wife must have been taking the picture, right???

smile

Posted by BobTheZee  on  12/29  at  02:03 PM

bobthezee roflmao*

Posted by rwbill  on  12/29  at  03:12 PM

Sorry so late, Chief, but a “Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year’s!” to you and yours.

Most of all, thank you for your service to our country.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV  on  12/31  at  08:27 PM

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